A mix of large and small transport and other projects across the region received the go-ahead on Wednesday, 28th June by the West of England Joint Committee.
Schemes worth more than £17m were approved and awarded funding of just over £10m to improve walking and cycling links, public spaces, public transport and road safety in the region. They underpin the aims of The Local Growth Fund and Economic Development Fund of supporting economic growth and improving connectivity.
The projects are:
• £2.8m towards speeding up a strengthening, maintenance and improvement scheme for the Bromley Heath Viaduct, reducing the time taken from 52 to 33 weeks;
• £2.2m towards a new single platform rail station next to the Park and Ride at Portway on the Severn Beach Line;
• £1.8m to relocate a coach park in Bath from Bath Quays North to Odd Down Park and Ride; and
• £3.3m towards fourteen separate transport projects across the region, including new cyclepaths and bus lane enforcement.
The Local Growth Fund is awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) who consider competitive bids that demonstrate they will create new infrastructure to encourage growth, support business investment and create jobs. Any additional funding required has been found from other local and Government sources.
West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “Through the Local Growth Fund the Joint Committee can approve projects that will deliver much needed infrastructure for the region. Today, we have approved a range of large and small transport projects that add up to deliver a better connected region.”
Local Enterprise Partnership interim chair, Professor Steve West, said: “Approval for these projects shows that we can work together to make the West of England an attractive option for business and industry. As part of the area’s wider funding programme, these are important steps in ensuring that our transport infrastructure meets the growth needs of the region.”
The Joint Committee also agreed a total of £8.7m from the local growth fund towards new infrastructure aimed to help stimulate economic growth. The projects are:
• £3.3m towards a new Infrastructure Construction Skills Centre at Weston College;
• £5.4m towards a new Health and Active Living Skills Centre at Weston College; and
• £75,000 towards the British Engineering Manufacturing Association training centre in Yate.
The Joint West of England Committee met for the first time on June 28th and is the decision making body for issues relating to the four unitary authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership. Details of the meeting can be found at www.westofengland-ca.org.uk